Bronx, New York Recieves RWJF Culture of Health Prize for Innovative Efforts to Help Residents Lead Healthier Lives

November 17, 2015

RWJF_COHWinner2015

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Recognizes Bronx, New York in Efforts Towards Reducing Health Disparities Among African-Americans/Blacks and Latinos

Bronx, New York (November 12, 2015) — Bronx, New York is one of eight winners of the 2015 RWJF Culture of Health Prize awarded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The Prize celebrates the strides communities have made to ensure good health flourishes for all. The Bronx community will receive a cash prize of $25,000 in recognition of its commitment to building a Culture of Health.

Charmaine Ruddock, project director for Bronx Health REACH said, “We’re delighted the Bronx has been awarded the RWJF Culture of Health Prize. While the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s County Health Rankings and Roadmaps has successively ranked Bronx County as the “least healthy” county of all 62 counties in New York State, many in the Bronx are working to change this ranking. #Not62-The Campaign for a Healthy Bronx is one of those building a foundation and infrastructure to improve health outcomes for Bronx residents through improved health behaviors, increase access to quality clinical care, and increase support for physical activity and healthy eating.”

With the Bronx having some of the highest rates of diet-related diseases such as obesity and diabetes in New York State, support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation will encourage Bronx residents to take steps towards a healthier lifestyle and lift the Bronx from being the least healthy county.”

This year’s RWJF Culture of Health Prize winners are inspiring examples of communities that are weaving health into everything they do,” said Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, RWJF president and CEO. “These eight communities, and our 12 previous winners, are connecting to like-minded people across the country to build a Culture of Health movement fueled by bold ideas, collaboration, and solutions so that everyone will have the opportunity and means to live the healthiest life they can.”

The Bronx was selected from more than 340 prize applications across the country. The other seven winning communities are Bridgeport, Connecticut; Everett, Massachusetts; Kansas City, Missouri; Lawrence, Massachusetts; Menominee Nation in northeastern Wisconsin; Spartanburg County, South Carolina, and Waaswaaganing Anishinaabeg (Lac du Flambeau Tribe),Wisconsin.

Building a Culture of Health means creating a society that gives every person, no matter who they are, the opportunity to be as healthy as they can be. To become an RWJF Culture of Health Prize winner, Bronx, New York had to demonstrate how it excelled in the following six criteria:

  • Defining health in the broadest possible terms.
  • Committing to sustainable systems changes and policy-oriented long-term solutions.
  • Cultivating a shared and deeply-held belief in the importance of equal opportunity for health.
  • Harnessing the collective power of leaders, partners, and community members.
  • Securing and making the most of available resources.
  • Measuring and sharing progress and results.